A long, long time ago I used to run D&D on a couple of forums. We had tons of fun and I used to win awards for things like Best Campaign and Best DM. In fact, if one knows where to look, you can probably dig up an unfinished (and barely begun) campaign from 2004 or something. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone here would be interested in getting something off the ground. I've got a great idea for a campaign incorporating some themes from that unfinished game.

Here's how it would work:

1. I need AT LEAST 5 other players. These players have to be willing to commit to one or two game sessions a week. You see, one of the inherent problems with running a forum based D&D game is the fact it tends to get too drawn out and unexciting for a number of reasons. The most crucial of which is waiting hours/days for one person to respond. So, for our purposes, a "game session" would consist of 3-5 hours of "rapid-fire" posting. This will ensure two things: Productive, exciting sessions and broken F5 keys. Both of which are important to my plans.

2. As DM and therefore God, I'm allowed to break the rules. I won't skew things in favor of one side or the other, but its essential to the story that certain D&D conventions are broken. One example could include something akin to a video game's save point. Another example is detailed below.

3. ABSOLUTELY NO FUCKING METAGAMING!!! I cannot stress this enough. Due to the nature of forum D&D, it goes without saying the players will know more than the characters (but keep PMs turned on, just in case). Don't take advantage of this.

4. Just to make things a lot easier to get started, all characters begin in the same area. This doesn't mean they're in a party already, but suffice to say, there isn't much of a choice when the game starts to go separate ways. All characters begin at level 1.

5. Dice rolls. There may be certain times the DM (being me) will make certain rolls for players. This can be anything, from an attack roll to a skill check. There are reasons for this, and it won't happen often.

6. Character rules:
a. Anything and only things found in the 3.5 Player's Handbook and 3.5 The Complete Adventurer are allowed. Also, fuck 4th Edition. That version is for faggots.
If you don't own both books, PM me and I can send you my digital copies using Rapidshare or something (as long as mods approve).
32 points for ability scores. Everything starts at 8. Scores are increased on a 1:1 basis until 14. After which points are spent on a 2:1 ratio.

b. Characters gain XP at various points within a session. This means you could be in the middle of a dungeon half way through a session and have enough to gain a level. Characters may only gain a level when resting at an inn, using a save point (should they actually exist in this campaign), or resting at a camp. A camp is defined as 1 and a half days spent building/maintaining a place to rest and sleeping in a tent/using a bedroll OUTSIDE without a random encounter.
If the party is low on HP in the middle of a dungeon and decides to "sleep it off", HP will be restored at its normal rate, but no levels will be gained.

c.Role-playing. There are no hard and fast rules here. Alignment is more of a concern, for game and story purposes. Role-play to your heart's content. Try to steer clear of things that actively impede the party. Being a loud, boisterous drunk is okay. Being a loud boisterous drunk while the party is sneaking past a dragon is another. An exception to this would if the party is strong enough to fight said dragon, but has chosen not to and you're also an evil character. In any case, penalties may apply.

d. Alignment. Look, I don't give a shit if you want to play an evil character. Go for it. HOWEVER, you must actively help the party, for whatever character motivated reasons you can muster up.
Maybe its just me, but D&D is no fun when one player is constantly trying to steal from other characters, ruin plans, or other actions that impede the party. Alignments are governed by player actions, and can change. I have a secret system to keep track of such things. XP bonuses/penalties are awarded for playing to alignment. Simply put, its okay to be evil, just don't fuck up the game for everyone else. If, someday down the road, an evil character wishes to betray the party (and it fits in an alignment/role-playing manner) they should send me a PM at least one session in advance so I can plan for it.

e. XP bonuses and penalties are based on alignment. Basically, the more "Lawful" someone is, the more XP they'll gain. The same with "Good." For example, a Lawful Good player that plays like a Lawful Good player would have the highest XP bonus, while a Chaotic Evil character playing like one would have the highest XP penalty. I don't do this to turn people away from playing evil characters (although it helps). I do so because I have another rule that will give random abilities (such as a Chaotic Neutral rogue getting a +x bonus to the Sneak skill, while a Lawful Good Paladin has a -x to something else.). This helps keep a sort of balance and most players have enjoyed the system. All alignment changes, XP/Skill/Ability bonuses and penalties occur instantly. Skill bonuses/penalties are not permanent and often random (but class-based).


I think that's about it. If I think of anything later, I'll edit this post.

EDIT 1: Forgot to mention level cap is 30, but there are no "epic" classes. Figure on having some combination of base and prestige classes totaling 30 by end game.

I am 100% interested in this. However, I have never played D+D. As a mod, I give you permission to send me a digital copy of the rules

Additionally, I'll have spotty connections for the next two weeks. It should be sufficient to host a mafia game, but my ability to partake in another game at the same time might be impaired. I will let you know soon if I think I can play, because I definitely want to.

I'll happily play a forum RPG, as long as it isn't actually D&D.

I'm playing DnD in real life at the moment, so not sure I have enough spare time to commit to another DnD game as well as mafia online. If you are short on players though I'll step in

I've never played D%D, and I'm honestly in a time zone which is 12 hours away from most other people here, so I'm out.

I'll be starting a campaign with a friend, for the first time in my life. But I suppose I would be interested in this too. As long as there isn't any LARPing involved. If there is, you're all banned.

For all intents and purposes, its a forum RPG using D20 rules and D&D class templates.

CJ, I'll PM you a RS link with the 3.5 Handbook and Complete Adventurer shortly. Either later today or tomorrow.

Yeah, that LARPing shit is too nerdy. Even for me.

If there are enough people to make this worthwhile I might play.

Maybe put it down in the mafia list and run it between games? I'm certainly interested, just a little time pressed at the moment. Also in terms of timezones, sessions will need to be on a weekend or preferably a world wide holiday block so that most people can be online.

As far as session scheduling goes, I'm pretty much open to anything. Nights are best, due to my goofy work schedule though.
I suppose we can worry about that once we get some definite sign-ups.

I'm in whenever this happens. Dwarf as race, not sure on class ATM.

Anyone who wants to play should send me a PM. I'll send you some character sheets and rulebooks. If You've got the books, you'll still need the sheets.

OK, I've almost got the forms completed for my Dwarf Rogue, Irving Strongbeard. I will post them or send them to you when you're done, your preference.